Cost Controller

Staff Solutions Recruitment; Komani; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Cost Accountant in Komani, Eastern Cape. The ideal candidate will have a diploma or degree in Cost & Management Accounting, with 3-5 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably within the FMCG sector. Key responsibilities include preparing accurate cost reports, analyzing production performance, and participating in inventory counts. Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Sage are required for successful candidates.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in cost accounting or management accounting within FMCG or manufacturing context.
• Strong understanding of standard costing and manufacturing cost structures.
• Comfortable interpreting financial data for non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze cost and expense reports for management.
• Monitor daily gross profit and margin performance across product categories.
• Maintain and update product costing, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication with operational teams

Education

Diploma / Degree in Cost & Management Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Sage

Syspro

Job description

Job Responsibilities :

Reporting & Financial Insight :

• Prepare accurate cost and expense reports for management.
• Analyse production performance and highlight key trends and variances.
• Monitor and report daily gross profit and margin performance across product categories.
• Conduct product profit margin analysis, including variable and fixed cost structures.
• Issue daily operational and financial reports to internal stakeholders.

Cost Control, Standard Costing & Process Improvement :

• Maintain and update product costing, including materials, labour, and overhead allocations.
• Monitor and track BOM accuracy, standard costing, and actual vs standard cost performance.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement across operations.
• Work with procurement, supply chain, and production teams to ensure all costs are accurately captured.
• Analyse cost movements, material prices, and consumption trends.
• Support the development and maintenance of cost forecasts.
• Allocate variable and fixed costs to correct cost centers.

Stock Administration, Inventory & Reconciliation

• Capture daily production transactions and ensure cost data is accurate and up to date.
• Participate in annual physical inventory counts and provide variance analysis.
• Perform monthly inventory and cost of sales reconciliations.
• Investigate unusual fluctuations in stock or cost balances.

Job Requirements :

• Grade 12
• Diploma / Degree in Cost & Management Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 35 years experience in cost accounting or management accounting within FMCG or manufacturing (dairy experience beneficial).
• Strong understanding of standard costing, BOMs, and manufacturing cost structures.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Sage, Syspro, or similar).
• Excellent analytical ability, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Comfortable engaging with operational teams and interpreting financial data for non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-moving production environment.